My mother was just diagnosed with dementia and Alzheimer's disease and now has to go into a nursing home. This is such a shock to me since I thought she was just getting old. She is just like a little child with her dolls and stuffed animals and for her to know that she will have to leave all of her personal belongings behind will devastate her. She really does not comprehend the fact that she will be leaving her apartment and her belongings behind and in January moving into a small bedroom with a roommate. She still loves to shop and I think she always will till the day she dies. She enjoys her freedom and I feel so bad that she will be resticted from going anywhere; however, I believe that it is for the best since there will be people around there constantly to keep an eye on her. Right now, my son is living with her; going to art school and working all day; so he does not get to see or spend much time with him. He feels bad since most of the time she does not know who he is.She has such strong attachment to my son because she took care of him for the first three years of his life while I had to go to work. He will be coming to live with me in January; since his birthday is on Christmas Day and my mom wants to be in her home for Christmas with the whole family one more time. Please pray for my mom,Jane and keep our entire family in your prayers.
God Love you all,
Cyndi Sepulveda

As a caregiver to an alzheimer's woman that I had to placed in nursing home .It has been so hard emotionally for me and each time that I visit her it makes me realize how important it is to continue to support the Ribbon.com and other alzheimer's support organzations.

Just wanted to say that your website is AMAZING! I was browsing the web just for fun, to have a look at some good websites as it helps me in work. Well, I'd be proud to have a website like yours - its very useful and well-designed. So go ahead, and continue to make the web better!

I consider myself to be a friend of Linda from the gathering place and Sacramento. She opened her home to my sister and I on my lecture and book tour.If any one ever feels depression of the slightest contact her. What a gal, genuine, giving and a heart bigger then California. Or visit was too short but it will not be the last time we get together. Not enough love in the world to match her.

My 86 yr. old Mom has Dementia we had to put her in Nursing Home April 03. I am the youngest of 5 kids, at 44 yrs. old, I am having a hard time dealing with this.
Mom does pertty much know who we are, she just got to point she could'nt help herself anymore, Her legs got very weak,now she gets around in wheel chair. A sister did have her living with them for about 2 yrs. till things were getting to hard, I hated having to put her in there, I see her everyday, And we all really like the care she recieves. But it is still hard.
Sheila

Thanks so much. I am a caregiver for my MOM. She is 80 and my sisters and brother have been takin care of her at home. I go through much guilt and many days where I just cry, when I leave my shift with her.I PRAY for patience, as it get's so hard sometimes. MY MOM was ALWAYS patient with us. Thanks again for all the support, and knowing that I'm not alone.

My mother, Jane, is 54 years old. She is in the third stage of early-onset Alzheimer's. Myself, my father and brother have felt very isolated and all of us have found your website very useful. I am desperate to get in touch with anyone who is caring for a younger sufferer - we need to feel that we can share our experiences. Thank you for providing a much needed service.

I have been reading your site for about a year now. It has been a great comfort to me. I have learned alot about AD. My husband is 53 years old and has AD. He is not able to work at now, and it has really been hard on him. He is not accepting this at all. Keep up the great work! You are a Blessing.

I could not find another place to send my fondest Aloha to Jamie and family. I too have Alzheimer's and cared for mom. Your faithful sharing of your time with grandmothers and mom have surely helped so many in carring for loved ones. Your strength and go for it attitude, your desire to share and help others have helped me many times. I am truly greatful, for you and the Ribbon, daily. Much Aloha Jeanne from Hawaii

Blessings to all..I've been here once before in 2001 to mention about my husband whom has Alzheimer's Disease.. oh what challenges I have been thru in the past two years..Amazing of the wonders of prayers and faith have done for me.. my husband is still with me, I thank the Lord, yet everyday now there are subtle changes.. I've gotten to where now I am taking a hard look at legal and financial things that must be taken care of now... I really praise ALL caregivers of any disease as they put their life on hold to give Love and support.. May God Bless Everyone and this web-site is so informative and helpful with advice I thank you so much for being there..

I have been taking care of my parents for 3 years FULL time- but working for them since 1996. I didn't know what my Mom's problem was, My Dad has dementia but my Mom was different. After reading in your site, I think my Mom may have Alzhimers- both are in the final stages and reading your site has given me the support and peace I needed to care for them. THANK YOU

I have been reading many of your articles and my heart has been touched deeply. Thank you for this beautiful place. A member of another type of support group recommended this site to me over a year ago and I am just now here. I am sorry I didn't arrive sooner.

I'm enjoying The Ribbon. I don't think I could get through all the stages of this horrible disease without suppport. Thank you for that.
My husband of 17 years has Alzheimer's and Multi Infarct Dementia.

I've begun a formal course of study in Gerontology. I found this site while looking for descriptions of Alzheimer's stages. I appreciate the 7 Stage Model. I would like to point out that the word DISEASE is misspelled on the page headed as &quot;Stages of Alzheimer's Disese: 7 Stage Model.&quot;

I just found your web pages and after last Tuesday, I just needed some words of comfort, I was the part time caregiver for my Mother in law who has Alzheimer, The family had me to be the one to take her to the rest home from a private home where she has been for 12 years, It was one of the hardest things that I ever had to do in my life but she is doing so good and seems to be more contented than she was at home,I wonder if maybe we were doing her more harm than good by having each of the 4 children go get her one day a week to give the main caregiver some time to rest, also in the same rest home is 2 , yes 2 of her sisters, one had a severe stroke about 4 years ago and the other sister has Dementias and sundowners, The rest home is clean and all the nurses and aids are so friendly and helpful so I guess just seeing my thoughts written down have already made me feel some better, I admit I do have some guilty feelings about being the one to take her but I really don't think the family c..

Glad to see a place to share thoughts and hear ideas. I look forward to reading the archives. My grandmother just passed away July 8th 2002, she would have been 82 July 31st. She was in the early stages of not remembering short term.It was hard the last year of her life as she was receiving care with my mom and her partner. Phil my mom's partner was in charge of so much for the two of them. My mom has early onset Alz. and is now starting to need more help herself. He has been struggling with not having many people to talk to who are in the same situation, and his being the kind of person who just faces the challenges and meets them ,makes it hard for me to know how best to support him.
I will be sharing the link to this ribbon with him in hopes it will be some support. Thank you for providing the space.
Richard Ludt

My husband is in middle stage of AZ, I am the sole
caretaker and eventually this will be my only way
to communicate with the outside world as our world
shrinks

My husband is in the middle stage of AZ, I am the
sole caretaker. This web site will be one of the
few ways I can communicate with others who can help
me go through this terrible road we will need to
travel.

my dad and i have been looking for a user friendly site for alzheimers support and education for my siblings and their children. we like this one and will continue to visit . thank you so much for just being there for us.

Our Father has Alzheimers and is in his third home. How do you find the right place? A lot of time and effort goes into researching, asking questions, and visiting various places only to find out there is neglect, abuse (mainly from other patients), and general falsehoods told to us before arriving. Perhaps we are expecting too much-any suggestions?

I am quite impressed with your material. I copied several articles: i.e., Wanting to go Home, Behav ioral Problems, Responding postiviely to Alzheimer''s patients. They were DYNAMO and right on taraget. I do wish other professional would read this material. I will certainly recommend your material to others. Thanks a lot.

My mother has Alzheimer Disease, I put together a scrapbook for the Alzheimers Assoc. and they are the ones that told me about you.they said your articles were very informative. so here i am.thank you, Pat

Blessings to you and everyone who helps with this site and newsletter. I as a caregiver to my Mother-in-law will learn to manage. This web site will help in that learning process. She has had this disease for several years already, but just recently diagnosed. Thank you again to everyone that has put forth the effort to start this web site. God Bless!

I know Kevin Fisher and his family and decided to submit a recipe. This looks like a great source of help for people who really need this support while they are trying to cope with a loved one's needs. Keep up the good work. God Bless all of you.

Had a good browse round the site.It was reassuring to see that your not the only one going through the &quot; problems &quot; that arise.I would love to be able to chat to someone at some point about caring for someone with early onset alz, but who is now going into the advanced stage.

Guest: 25Name:maureenFrom: New HampshireReferred By: From a FriendTime: Sunday, January 27, 2002Comments:

My 86 year old mother has alz. This site has been so helpful to me. Great resources! Thank you

I was Guest 17. My sister-in-law just died from A/D. Ten years in a nursing home! What a relief! Sound mean or callous? You all know what I mean. Needed care before that that her daughter with a husband and 2 daughters tried to give. She was the sister to my wife who had A/D as well as their father. Genetic? Would seem so, wouldn't it? Do you need help? Contact your local Alheimer's Association. They can give you lots of help. Most important, get help early. I didn't and I'm sorry. Things could have been a lot easier if I had.
Ed

Murphy's law.....my Alzheimer's Mom just died 2 weeks ago tonight, after I took care of her for the past 5 years....and I just found this website....I sure could have used your chat many times. Glad you're here for other caregivers; I only wish you were easier to find.
Nancy
aka: whatalife
aka: notalife

Karen,
I had no idea that youhad embarked on this project. What a tribute to your mother and your love of others and their daily struggles to survive, intact! I cn recall many, many IM's with you as we both struggled to cope with our demons. You with your and I with Barbara's. Though their diseases differed, their caregivers struggled valiantly to hold on to their sanity and deliver the quality of care and love that they so richly deserved. Keep up your efforts, never say die and know in your heart that your efforts are never futile or forgotten. Life on earth is but a blink of the eye, in the vast hereafter your efforts will not be forgotten.

this room has been a godsend for me since my dad got alz i didnm,t know a thing about it or a person who knew about it!! ty ty ty so much for having me linda and kevin if i was a angel i would give u some wings!!! love michele,, ps also it helped me when my mom died from breast cancer too everyone is so awesome here,, and i finally got back !!! love michele:)

Actually, I stopped in after reading the book &quot;Finding the JOY in Alzheimer's. Caregivers share the JOYFUL times. By Brenda Avadian, M.A.
It is kinda of like a Chicken Soup for the Soul book.
The book has lot's of places for support, I thought I would check this out, cause I sure need it!
Mom has Alzheimer's...taking one day at at time!

i read an article in the delta kappa gamma bulletin on care givers and found some websites for care givers. chat rooms are all new to me, but i need some help. how do i go about getting on a chat website to get help. my husband has frontal lobe dementia. thank you

Actually, I found out about this page from some of your members when they were in Nashville for a reunion of sorts and they joined us (Alzheimer's Association) in our Memory Walk. Great bunch of ladies and a great web page, Congratulations.
I am an erstwhile caregiver (my wife died last year) and am now a volunteer devoting one day a week to the Alzheimer's Association Mid-Tennessee office.

After seeing 3 different doctors, my family and I have been told that my mother who is 54 has AD. From the information that I have seen on the internet she is in the 5th &amp; 6th stage of the disease. My mom does nothing that she is use to doing. All she does is sleep. I don't know why. i would to be able to find all the information I can to help us all to deal with this disease. My dad has had the hardest time dealing with the whole issue. I'm sorry, I didn't mean to tell my whole story here. Anyhow, I would love to be able to meet other people and get and share, 9if I can) ideas with others. I am so happy that I found the webdite. Talk to all soon:)

My mother was recently diagnosed with Alzheimers- it's been getting increasingly worse over the last few years and she seems to be deteriorating rapidly- I'm reseaching and studying anything I can in order to become more knowledgable. I'd like to make others'more aware- Is there a way to get &quot;The Ribbon&quot;- pin? Thanks

Learned of your site at a ALZ Support Group Meeting. Am sure I will be viewing it regularly. My husband has had AD well over 3 years. He has progressed more in the last six months.Speech is slurred, walking alot slower and wanders from room to room alot. Does not wander from the house though. I was never exposed to this disease before so it has been quite a challenge.Have started using day care and it does help getting away. Would like to be able to find someone that would come to the house every other week, either friday or saturday evening so I could get out with friends. They all work during the day. Am hoping to read of other caregivers experiences. Feel free to email me anytime.

My mother has been suffering from alz since last 4 years and is being cred by my wife and myself. The kind of pain one experiencesat seeing the steady degeneration is relly excruciating to say the least .I woul like tos share the experience with somebody who is a cregive.

My 87 yr old mother is suffering with Alz. She is probably between the 5th and 6th stages on your chart.
But now, she suddenly can't stand or walk. The caregivers and the doctor don't seem to think it is attributable to the Alzheimers, but it seems to me that her brain has just stopped telling her body what to do. She recently began experiencing bowel incontenance as well. Do you think this figures into the advancement of the disease? I would appreciate hearing from anyone with a similar situation.

I thank you for this web-site, and my husband is in the moderate stage of Alzheimer's.. if there is anyone with a husband or relative who would like to exchange comments about this disease and life, I would love to hear from you.. Again, thank you so much for this site..

I am a person with early onset Alzheimer's Disease. Diaganosed six years ago. Jamie thank you for having this web page.

Guest: 2Name:Billie NormanFrom: Virginia -- now in IndianaReferred By: From a FriendTime: Monday, June 11, 2001Comments:

Having taken care of two Alzheimer's patients (my mother-in-law and her sister) for three years, I have grown to hate the disease with great passion. I hope that a cure will be found before any more family members succumb to it.